Fire extinguisher



Ont-8, 1935. J. L. SEAT 2,016,301

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Aug. 9, 1933 2 shees-sheet 1 Mms; 'Q 4 BY 5, v( ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1935. J. L.. SEAT FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Aug. 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR c/Q'j/ aw/ence e'az.

wlTNESS:

Patented` Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES 'PATENT oFFlcE Application August 9,

, 4 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to fire extinguishers in general, and more particularly to that type for use in the extinguishing of small fires by the ejection of a chemical solution upon the flames.

One of the several objects of the invention resides in an automatic nre extinguisher capable of ejecting a relatively long stream without the use of a pump or other analogous manual pressure producing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a iire extinguisher containing a charge of re extinguishing compound which is ejected under pressure from the extinguisher upon the piercing of pressure cartridge.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a re extinguisher having a discharge` nozzle normally sealed by a `closure, and a pressure cartridge piercing mechanism operatively connected with the closure whereby operation of the mechanism will successively cause the closure to be moved to an open position andthe pressure cartridge pierced to set up a pressure behind the extinguishing charge and eject the said charge through the nozzle. j

A still further object is to provide a lire extinguisher which may eject chemical iire extinguishing compounds which are not injurious to cloth, furniture, and all commodities in general.

With these and otherl objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a Vertical longitudinal sectional view through my re Vextinguisher in normal or inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the parts in operative position.

Figure 3 is a rear end elevational View with parts in normal position.

Figure 4 is a detail horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view onthe line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral III designates my improved re extinguisher in its entirety which includes a cylindrical casing II constructed of a pair of sections I2 and I3. The rear end of theI casing section II has Aa coupling member I4 sweated or otherwise secured thereto, and which member extends beyond the said end of the section and 5 is externally screw threaded for threading eni 1933, Serial No. 684,321

gagement with the front end of the casing section I3. The threadedly connected sections are secured against turning movement by ears I5 which extend radially from the two sections and are alined to receive fastening screws I6.

Threaded into the forward end of the casing section II is a nozzle Il having a discharge orifice I8 extending centrally therethrough. Threaded into the inner end of the orifice I8 is one end of a tube I9, the opposite end of the l0 tube being disposed adjacent the side wall of the casing section I2 and in spaced relation to the coupling member I4. The interior of the casing section I2 constitutes the lire extinguishing uid compartment which is lled through a' lling l5 opening lnormally closed by a. filler plug 2i threaded into the front end of the casing section I2. Any chemical compound in duid form of the non-pressure type may be stored in the compartment 20 and the pressure for ejecting 2G the compound through the tube I9 and discharge orifice I8 will be presently described.

Fitted onto a reduced vportion of the nozzle Il' is a collar 22 held in position by a nut 23 threaded to the nozzle. The collar 22 is provided withV spaced ears 24 between which a substantially Zu shaped lever 25 is pivotally mounted, the pivot pin being designated at 26. One end of the zshaped lever 25 is swingable toward and away from the discharge end of the nozzle I'I, and this end of the lever supports a cup-shaped member 21 in which a sealing cap 28 is mounted, and which cap is constructed of a material to withstand the action of any chemical from which the lire extinguishing solution may be made of. I have found that Vermaloid serves the desired purpose, as it will withstand the chemicals without deterioration. The cap 28 is held in position by a ring member 29 threaded to the cup member 21, the said ring member having an opening 30 to enable the rounded end of the discharge nozzle to engage the seat provided in the cap 28.

The lever 25 is under the influence of a spring 3|, which spring is constructed oi.' wire having one end anchored about the discharge nozzle I1, and its other end coiled about the pivot pin 26 and acting against the lever 25 to' normally urge the closure carried thereby into engagement with the discharge end of the nozzle.

The otherend of the lever 25 has one end oi a link 32 pivotally connected thereto, while the opposite end of the link is pivotally connected to an actuating lever 33, which lever is pivoted to the rear end of the casing section I3 as at $4. The lever I3 has its inner side provided with a 55 groove or channel 35 to receive the link 32 when the lever is in an inoperative position parallel to and against the side wall of the casing II as best shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. For facilitating an adjustment of the link 32, the said link is constructed of a rod section 36 and a socketsection 31, the free end oi' the rod 36 threading into the socket section 31, and which adjustment may be accomplished by turning the socket section 31 relative to the section 36 after the cotter pin 38 which connects the section 31 with the lever 35 is removed. Opposite sides of the actuating lever 33 are cut away or notched as at A39 to provide linger grip portions to enable an operator to grasp the lever in order to swing the same from the inoperative position shown in Figure 1 to the operative position shown in Figure 2.

Supported by the coupling member |4 which acts in the nature of a partition between the compartment 20 and the interior of the casing section i3, is a sleeve member 40, the same being closed at one end and the closed end extending into the chamber 20 whereas the opposite end of the member is formed with an enlarged head 4| which extends into the interior of the casing section I3. Mounted in the member 40 for a limited sliding movement is a piercing member 42, the forward end oi which has a seat 43 against which the ball 44 of a check valve construction normally seats, and which ball closes the passage 45 which extends centrally through the piercing member 4'2. The ball 44 also normally bears against a follower disk 46 slidable in the sleeve member 40, and a spring 41 bears against the disk 46 and the closed end of the sleeve member to normally urge the ball into sealing engagement with the forward end of the passage 4 5. The sleeve member 40 at a point forward of the normal position of the disk 46 is provided with openings 48 for the purpose of establishing communication between the chamber 30 and the passage 45 when the ball check 44 is in open position in a manner and for a purpose presently to be described.

The rear end of the piercing member 42 is provided with a conical piercing point 49 and the passage 45 opens through the outer end thereof.

Held within the enlarged head portion 4| of the sleeve member 40 is a seat member 5|, the same being held in position by a nut member 5|. The outer ends of the members 50 and 5| are beveled to facilitate the insertion of the reduced neck 52 of a pressure cartridge 53 into the seat member 50 so that the end of the neck is posi- `tionedadjacent the pointed end of the piercing point 49 as will be seen by reference to Figure 1 of the drawings. When inserting the cartridge 53, it is rst passed through an opening 54 in a partition 55 extending transversely of the casing section I3. The partition 54 serves to slidably is closed while the outer end is opened. slidably supported by the closed end of the sleeve 56 is a plunger 51 having an outer head 58 and an inner head 59. Interposed between the inner head 59 and the closed end wall of the sleeve 56 is a coil spring 60 which tends to normally hold the plunger in a retracted position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. 'I'he sleeve member 56 is removably supported in the end wall of the casing section I3 to facilitate its removal when 5 a cartridge 53 is to be inserted in position.

Fixedly supported against the end wall of the casing section I3 is a housing.6|, the same being slidable into and out of position by means of.

a dove tailed channel 62 provided in the end 10 wall of the casing. When dropped into position, the housing 6| is held by a screw 63 which passes through an ear 64 at the lower end of the housing and which screw enters an ear 65 extending radially from the casing section I3. 15

slidably mounted in the housing 6| for movement at right angle to the axis of the plunger 51 is a plunger actuating pin 66, which is normally urged upwardly by a coil spring 61 interposed between the lower end of the pin and the adjacent closed wall of the bore in which the pin slides. The inner side of the pin 66 is provided with a cam surface 68 and this surface is held in operative relation to the outer end of the plunger 51 by a set screw 69 which threads through 25 the housing 6I and enters a slot 10 in the pin. This set screw prevents turning movement of the pin and also limits the sliding movement of'. the said pin in opposite directions. Normally, the outer end of the plunger 51 is disposed in the cut 30 out portion 10 of the pin 66 as will be seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, but when the pin is moved to an operative position, the cam face 68 acts against the outer end of the plunger and imparts an inward sliding movement thereto 35 against the action of the spring 60 for the purpose of sliding the cartridge 53 into piercing engagement with the piercing point 49 in order to rupture the cartridge and release the contents thereof into the chamber 20. 40

For the purpose of actuating the pin 66 in order to pierce the cartridge 53, the pivoted end of the lever 33 is formed with a foot 1I, and which foot engages the outer end of the pin 66 when the actuating lever 33 is swung to operative position or from the position shown' in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2. The lever 33 is swung to the operative position shown in Figure 2, the foot 1| pushes inwardly upon the pin 66 causing the plunger 51 to operate in the manner above referred to.

For releasably holding the actuating lever 33 in operative position, the pivoted end of the lever is provided with a notch 12 which receives the outer end of a catch pin 13, which is forced outwardly by a spring 14. Thus it will be seen that the lever 33 and the parts actuated thereby may be held in operative position after the lever has been swung to such position. i y

In operation of the device, assume that the 60 parts are in normal position as shown in Figure 1` of the drawings, that is, the cartridge 53 is in position to be pierced and the actuating lever 33 is against the sides of the casing with the closure cap sealing the discharge end of the nozzlev I1. 05 It is also assumed that the chamber 20 contains a chemical fire extinguishing solution or compound of the non-pressure type. To operate, the operator grasps the lever 33 and swings the same for a distance approximating that is, from 70 the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 2, and during such movement, the closure cap moves away from the discharge end of the nozzle I1 to permit an unobstructed flow of fluid from the nozzle, and the foot 1| successively oper- 75 ates the pin 66 which inv turn forces the plunger 51 inwardly and which movement causes the neck end of the cartridge to be pierced by the piercing point 49. "I'his pressure of the cartridge against the piercing element is insufficient to cause the sliding of the member 42 as the spring v41 is of a relatively strong tension, but not of such degree to prevent the pressure of the nitrogen from the pierced capsule from acting against the ball check M and moving the ball and the disk 46 to a position beyond the openings 48 whereupon the nitrogen from the cartridge may pass through the passage 45, and openings 48 into the chamber 20. Upon the entrance of the nitrogen into the Vchamber 20, the pressure thereof will force a fire extinguishing uid from the chamber 20 through the tube I9 and discharge the same from the nozzle I1 in a stream of sufficient length to reach the flames of a small fire. After use .of the extinguisher, the pierced or ruptured cartridge may be removed and a new one substituted therefor and the other part returned tov normal position for the further working of the extinguisher when the occasion arises.

While I have shown and described what I deem to be the most practical embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, isz- 1. A fire extinguisher comprising a casing having a fire extinguishing fluid chamber therein, a discharge nozzle having communication with said chamber, a piercing element mounted within said casing, a passage opening through the piercing element and communicating with said chamber, a check valve normally sealing said passage, means for slidably supporting a pressure cartridge with one end in the path of said piercing element, a plunger slidably mounted in said casing in axial alinement with said piercing element adapted when extended to push a pressure cartridge into piercing engagement with said casing element, spring means tending to normally hold said plunger in a retracted position, plunger operating meansfor sliding said plunger toward said piercing element against the action of said spring means, a closure device normally sealing the discharge nozzle, an actuatinglever pivoted to said casing and normally positioned thereagainst, means connecting. said lever and said closure device whereby the closure device may be opened and closed .by the movement of said lever to operative and inoperative position, and means on said lever for operative engagement with said plunger operating means to actuate the me when said lever is swung to operative posi- 2. In a fire extinguisher, a casing having a fire extinguishing fluid chamber and a discharge nozzle atl the forward end thereof, releasable pressure means for forcing the contents of said chamber through said discharge nozzle, a pivoted closure device normally sealing the discharge passage in said discharge nozzle, an actuating lever pivoted to said casing, a channel provided in the inner side of said actuating lever, a link connection between said actuating lever and said pivoted closure device for opening and closing the same upon movement of said lever to operative and inoperative positions respectively, said link adapted to nest in said channel when said lever is in 5 inoperative position and means operable by said lever upon movement of the same to operative position for actuating said releasable pressure means.

3. A re extinguisher comprising a casing having a discharge nozzle at its forward end, a transverse partition within said lcasing for dividing the same into a forward fire extinguishing fluid compartment, and a rear pressure cartridge compartment, a sleeve xedly lmounted in said partition 15 and extending beyond opposite sides thereof, a piercing element slidably mounted in said sleeve and having its piercing end facing rearwardly and having a bore extending centrally therethrough,

a ball valve member freely movable within said 20 sleeve, a sealing disc slidably mounted in said sleeve forward of said ball valve member, spring means for normally holding said sealing disc against said ball valve member and said ball valve member against the forward end of said 25 piercing element to close the bore therein, said sleeve having openings therein forward of the normally closed position of said ball valve member, a rupturable pressure cartridge slidably supported within said rear pressure cartridge com- 30 partment with one end against the piercing end of said piercing element, and manually operable means for imparting a sliding movement to said pressure cartridge to puncture the same to release the fluid pressure therein through the bore o! said piercing element whereupon the released fluid pressure overcomes the tension of said spring-means to move said sealing disc forwardly of the openings in said sleeve to admit the ow of fluid pressure into said forward compartment. 40

4. A re extinguisher comprising two threadedly connected front and rear cylindrical casing sections, a transverse partition in one of said sections adjacent the connected ends for separating the interior of said front and rear casing sections, 45 a nozzle at the outer end of the front casing section, a piercing element supported by said partition and having a bore therethrough for establishing communication between said front and rear casing sections; the piercing end of .said 50 piercing element extending into said rear casing section, a spring pressed check valve member normally seated against the other end of said piercing element to normally seal said bore,

a rupturable pressure cartridge, means within 55 said rear casing section for slidably supporting said pressure cartridge with onevend against the piercing end of said piercing element, a spring pressed plunger slidably mounted in the outer end wall of said rear casing section, and bearing di() against the other end of said pressure cartridge, and lever actuated means mounted on said rear casing section for sliding said plunger inwardly to force said pressure cartridge against said piercing element to cause said piercing element o6 to pass through the wall of said pressure cartridge. n

JAY LAWRENCE SEAT. 

